FORT BLISS -- Military officials are working to determine just how big of a problem they have with radioactive residue that has been found in a Cold War-era storage bunker at Biggs Airfield.

REPORTER

David Burge

Fort Bliss officials announced Tuesday that possible nuclear contamination has been found in a bunker northwest of Biggs in an area called the Snake Pit.

The area, which had limited access, is now sealed off.

Preliminary investigations have shown low levels of alpha and beta radiation in the storage facility, but the more dangerous gamma radiation has not been found, Fort Bliss spokesman Maj. Joe Buccino said.

Tests will determine if the source is from uranium, which is a key component of nuclear weapons.

At this time, there is no risk to the general public, but it is early in the investigation, Buccino said.

About two months ago, a retired Air Force veteran who was stationed at Biggs during the early 1950s reported to the Air Force Safety Office that he had worked with unsealed nuclear weapons while at Biggs, Buccino said. He was concerned that military housing could be built in this area as the post continued its recent expansion.

No housing or other new buildings are planned for this area, Buccino said.

"It is concerning," said Mark Cauthers, deputy garrison commander.

"We don't know the scope of the issue, if it's nothing or something fairly substantial."

The Air Force controlled Biggs until 1966 when it was transferred to the Army and became part of Fort Bliss. The Air Force used it as part of its Strategic Air Command, which oversaw its nuclear weapons program at the time. Fort Bliss officials now believe that nuclear weapons were stored and worked on there during the Air Force days.

There are also reports that contaminated residue, from things like rags used to clean nuclear weapons, were buried in sealed containers 12 to 18 inches below the ground but above the water table, Buccino said. Those containers, which are believed to be in the same area as the bunker, have not been found. And they may not even exist, Buccino said.

The bunker, which has showed low levels of alpha and beta contaminants, has been sealed off as have eight other buildings in the Snake Pit.

Fort Bliss will work with experts from the Army Environmental Command, the Public Health Command, other Army agencies and the Air Force to do a thorough investigation, officials said.

There is no exact time frame for the tests to be completed.

Since 2003, the affected bunker has been used to store rifles and machine guns for National Guard and reservists to use in training. Soldiers and contractors who handled those weapons have "no immediate health or safety risks," because the equipment contained such a low level of contaminants, Buccino said.

But the situation is being monitored, and the weapons have been locked up.

About 30 people have had access to the storage area in the past few months and they have all been notified, Cauthers said. There is no estimate on how many people may have entered this building over the years, but additional research is being done, Cauthers said.

The building had been used exclusively for storage of training weapons during the past decade. No one had an office there, nor were there any plumbing or shower facilities.

The Air Force had used epoxy paint in the bunker to seal in contaminants, which was the proper procedure at the time, Buccino said.

The problem has been with recent use, some of that paint may have been chipped or gouged loose, he said.

Alpha particles can cause cancer but only if internally ingested, Buccino said. Beta radiation can cause an injury that's the equivalent of a sunburn if it comes in direct contact with skin, he added.

"What we're finding is we have a lot of unknowns," Buccino said. "We are just beginning this process."

U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, said he is working closely with Fort Bliss commanding general Maj. Gen. Sean B. MacFarland and Fort Bliss leadership "to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to protect, inform and help anyone who might have been affected."

U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Texas, said it's important that "we be guided by facts and not fear.

"The safety and well-being of our servicemen and women is the top priority," Gallego said. "Major General MacFarland has responded to this situation in a transparent manner that puts the safety of soldiers and civilians first.

"From my position on the House Armed Services Committee, I'm working with the Pentagon to ensure that Fort Bliss has all the resources needed to address and resolve the situation," Gallego continued. "I am also working to find more details about the history of activity at Biggs Field over the previous decades."

Fort Bliss officials, based on information provided by the Air Force, believe this is the only site at risk for contamination.

A 24-hour hotline has also been set up to take calls from anyone who thinks they may have been affected by contamination.

"The safety of our soldiers and employees is paramount," Buccino said. "We are bringing all possible resources to bear to identify the level of potential risk."

David Burge may be reached at dburge@elpasotimes.com; 546-6126. Follow him on Twitter @dburge1962

Hotline numbers

Anyone who thinks they may have been affected by radioactive contaminants at Biggs Airfield is urged to call a 24-hour hotline that started operation on Tuesday.

The numbers are 915-744-1255, 744-1962, 744-8263 or 744-8264.

Tell your story

If you ever had contact with the storage bunker that tested positive for radioactive residue we want to hear from you.

Contact El Paso Times reporter Aaron Bracamontes at 546-6156 or at abracamontes@elpasotimes.com.